Carrara Markets: Weekend Hours, Parking and Tips

Carrara Markets is one of the Gold Coast’s big weekend markets, open every Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm at the corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road in Carrara. Entry is free and so is parking, with room for over 4,000 cars.

The site also has a roller-skating rink, mini golf and a children’s area, so it works as a half-day outing as well as a shopping trip.

Carrara Markets days and opening hours

The markets are open every weekend: Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm.

On Sundays there is also a weekly morning car boot sale.

What you will find at Carrara Markets

The market’s website describes hundreds of market stalls and cafes, and has a map of amenities and services. It does not break the stalls down by type.

The shopping areas are smoke-free, with a designated smoking area.

Planning your visit to Carrara Markets

• How long: with hundreds of stalls and cafes, and attractions on site, you can easily spend half a day.
• Which day: both days are open 8 am to 3 pm. The weekly car boot sale is on Sundays.
• What to bring: cash, because most stalls are cash only. There are five ATMs if you run short.
• With kids: Rollerama, Carrara Mini Golf, a baby animal farm, pony rides, face painting and a bungy trampoline are listed on the site, so check the website for prices and times.
• Dogs: leave them at home.

Facilities and accessibility

• Toilets: there are two toilet locations, and one includes parents’ room facilities.
• Cash: there are five ATM locations. Most stalls are cash only, though some take eftpos, so bring cash.
• Accessible parking: designated disabled parking is near the entrance to The Big Shed.
• Wheelchair hire: wheelchairs can be hired from one of the stalls.
• Dogs: not allowed.

For anything else, the Markets Management Office takes general enquiries on (07) 5579 9388.

Family attractions at Carrara

The website lists these attractions alongside the stalls:

• Rollerama: a roller-skating rink.
• Carrara Mini Golf: mini golf.
• Family attractions: the website also lists a baby animal farm, pony rides, face painting and a bungy trampoline.

Prices and hours are not given, so check the website.

Selling at Carrara Markets

If you want a stall of your own, contact the Markets Management Office on (07) 5579 9388 or [email protected].

Parking at Carrara Markets

Parking is free and there is space for over 4,000 cars.

Getting to Carrara Markets

By car it is about 60 minutes from Brisbane CBD without traffic. From the M1 (Pacific Motorway), take exit 77 onto Gooding Drive and follow the signs. From the Gold Coast Highway, turn off at Pacific Fair onto Hooker Boulevard at Broadbeach, which becomes Gooding Drive, and follow the signs for about 4 km.

Public transport

• Tram and bus: take the G:Link tram to Broadbeach South Station, then a Translink or Surfside bus from the beachside (eastern) side of the station. The market says trams and buses run about every 10 minutes and the trip from Surfers Paradise takes about 30 minutes.
• Train: get off at Nerang Station and catch a Translink or Surfside bus.

Check times at translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

Nearby

• Broadbeach – the beach, parks and cafes about 4 km down the road.
• The Coastal Markets Broadbeach – a beachfront market on the first and third Sunday.
• HOTA Markets – a Sunday morning market at Surfers Paradise.
• Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets – an evening market on the foreshore.

Browse all Markets and Gold Coast posts, or see What’s on.

Details can change, so check the organiser’s website before you go.

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